Harsh screaming winds blew the hard rain almost horizontal along the back alleys and cobbled streets Rose ran through. She squeezed down narrow passages between the backs of houses usually reserved as shelter for rats and stray dogs. Behind her she heard the first screams of pedestrians as they came across the gruesome crime scene she had left. Their cries of horror at the discovery only made her run faster and Rose had to squint against the rain as it blurred her vision. Through the gaps in her thick wet lashes, she could just make out the outline of the old theatre in the moonlight. Slowing, she made her way through puddles to the back entrance where she knew the door was left unlocked. Keeping mainly to the shadows, she avoided the faint orange glow of street lamps in case a midnight stroller saw her.
The old, heavy door opened easily when she pressed her weight against it and allowed her access to the abandoned theatre. Once inside, Rose closed the door again, blocking out the cold night air and the rain. Inside, it was silent except for the gentle but persistent sound of raindrops falling against the roof. The theatre looked as though it were merely closed for the night. Rose had expected the disused building to be full of dust, cobwebs and mice but instead had found the old place to be to her liking. The seats and furnishings were a deep shade of crimson and the gold velvet trimmings around the room brightened it up a little. Rose chose to sleep in the upper circle, the highest point in the theatre commonly referred to as the gods. As she climbed the stairs leading to the high platform, she reflected on the irony of her sleeping situation; a monster among the gods. She paused as she mused over the word monster. It was what she had called Steve the night she had left him. In the heat of the argument, her fear and fury had overcome her and she spat out the word which had been in the back of her mind for weeks like venom. However, as much as she would have liked to pretend the name was simply a taunt, after tonight's event she had to admit that was what she had become. Like a monster, she had stalked her prey until it had entered a quiet and empty place in the town, a place ideal for her attack. Rose shuddered as she recalled how she had lunged at the girl from behind, her jaw locking around her victim's throat. The last thing she remembered clearly was the whistle of air escaping the prey's windpipe as she snapped her neck. After that, she had given in to her primal urges and had fed on the victim's blood like an animal.
Up in the gods, she licked the remainder of the blood off her hands and from the tips of her fingers and sighed happily. The sweet liquid satisfied the hunger pangs in the pit of her stomach and she allowed herself to rest. Snuggling under the blanket she had sourced from back stage, she closed her eyes and listened to the rain falling against the roof and the faint sound of sirens in the distance. Rose drifted into sleep dreaming about the sweet smell of blood.
A sudden noise from below drove Rose from the safety of her dreams and it took her a few moments to realize she was not alone in the old theatre. She blinked several times to wake herself up but lay utterly still and unmoving beneath the blanket, listening to the muffled voices downstairs. With no electricity, the building was always in darkness but from the moon and stars outside, Rose could tell it was still late at night however the voices downstairs grew louder with every minute. Rose decided to risk a look over the edge of the railing. She knew the fear she was experiencing was all in her head, left over from her previous life as a fragile human. After all, who could possibly harm her now? She was a strong, swift and bloodthirsty Vampaneze with a very short temper. No human would be a match for her. Even still, the voices from below concerned her. What if it was the police? What if they had found the body and somehow traced it back to her? Gingerly, Rose peered over the railing and adjusted her eyes to the darkness below. Three floors down, she could just make out a group of around six figures. Leaning over further, their conversation began to grow clearer.
"Oh, they won't come back. We can still use this space."
"How can you be sure? Freaks are supposed to be on the move, it's our nature. We've done our show here so let's move on now."
"I'm tired of having to be on the run, Mr Tall! Can't we spend a few more days here?"
Rose's eyes widened at the sight of the man who stepped out of the shadows into a patch of moonlight to answer him. He was extremely tall and thin and wore a top hat and dark clothes.
"Perhaps one more show, friends. Then it will be time to rest for a few months."
A very large man beside him grunted in approval.
"Fine with me," he said. Rose leant even further over the banister to get a closer look at the strange man. He appeared to have two stomachs and was standing beside a man who appeared to have none. Surely she was dreaming?
"What do you think Alexander?" piped up a woman addressing the man next to the figure with two stomachs.
"Sure I guess. Pasta?"
"Fine." His nonchalant response seemed to anger one of the crowd.
"It's not safe here anymore! Didn't you hear? There was a murder earlier tonight! The authorities will be on the lookout for anyone strange and we're going to be their first suspects!"
Rose reeled back in surprise as the group below her gasped in the darkness. The metal pole she had been resting on creaked and groaned loudly as it began to snap at its rusted joint. Rose held her breath, hoping the group hadn't noticed. Silenced filled the room as its occupants listened for the source of the loud creaking. Rose relaxed slightly as the whispering continued.
"Then it's not safe here," resigned Mr Tall, "we can't risk an investigation."
"Satisfied Hans?" Huffed the woman with phenomenally large teeth but her question was met with silence. Rose risked another peek over the railing, being careful not to lean on it, to see where the man had gone. She brought her face closer to the edge and looked over.
"Gotcha!"
Rose threw herself backwards in shock at coming face to face with the man named Hans who had silently climbed up the front of the seating areas as swiftly and as nimble as a monkey. Anger came out of her surprise and she retaliated quickly by grabbing the man by the scruff of his collar. She growled loudly, her teeth bared only inches from his face. Suddenly she felt herself being lifted off her feet by someone holding her around her waist. She twisted and cried to get out of the person grasp but they held her firmly.
"Who are you?" Came a booming voice from over her shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a top hat bobbing anxiously.
"Get off me!" Yelled Rose. With a quick jab of her sharp elbow, she managed to distract the man long enough to wriggle out of his grasp however as soon as she was free the rest of the group tackled her to the group. Before she knew what was happening, Rose found herself lying on the floor with five freaks sat on top of her. She wriggled in desperation before giving up, feeling tired and confused and knowing it was useless.
"Fat lump," she said sulkily to the man nearest her but to her annoyance he just chuckled and patted one of his two stomachs cheerfully.
"Who are you?" repeated Mr Tall calmly and more composed than last time. Rose decided she would probably be released quicker if she obeyed.
"My name is Rose," she huffed, "I'm a runaway." She chose to leave the bit about being a Vampaneze out, after all, what she had said wasn't a lie – it just wasn't the whole truth.
"And what are you running away from Rose?" The question caught Rose off guard. She had not expected the man's concern or sincerity. She mused over what it was she was running from. She could not tell them the truth without letting slip her whole story.
"My children's Home," she said, hoping they wouldn't detect the lie in her voice.
"Children's Home?" Mused Mr Tall bending down next to her to examine her face. Her cheeks were grubby and her hair was unwashed. A thick full fringe partially covered her narrowed eyes. Her red narrowed eyes. Crap. Rose shut her eyes in frustration and gritted her teeth. She'd forgotten that she now had glowing crimson eyes! She heard Mr Tall sniff before straightening up.
"You don't look like an ordinary child to me, Rose." She felt the freaks on top of her grip her wrists and ankles tighter.
"If that is your real name..." he added. Rose opened her eyes and glared at the unnaturally tall man. He did not look afraid, nor did her look angry. He was staring at her with curiosity and slight compassion.
"It is," she sighed, "and I did live in a children's Home – before I died, that is." She broke off unsure how to continue. She wasn't sure if she felt comfortable discussing her past with such odd strangers.
"Go on," prompted one of the freaks sitting on top of her. He earned a disapproving glance from Mr Tall who simply watched her.
"I'm a monster" she whispered, "I'm evil and wicked and a freak!"
"A freak, you say?" said Mr Tall, calming the others with an impatient flick of his wrist. They had begun to object and protest but were silenced by his thoughtful expression.
"And why do-"
"I am! I am a freak! Look at me! Red eyes, bloodthirsty and long teeth and nails." Rose broke off to demonstrate her sharp fangs.
"Interesting," pondered the tall man beside her. He caught one of the freak's eyes on top of her and nodded. Rose looked up sharply at the stranger's unspoken conversation and immediately grew annoyed. She hated secrets, especially those delivered so obviously in front of her. It was so rude.
"I also have super strength," she boasted. Concentrating hard, she began to stand up. The five people holding her down were lifted up into the air before they sprang away from her. She chortled at the shock and horror displayed on their faces. Rose enjoyed the feeling of power her new found strength gave her.
"Vampire," stated Alexander Ribs, backing away from the girl.
"No. Look at the eyes. And her skin has a purple tinge to it. She is Vampaneze, evidently abandoned."
"But why would they create her then leave her?"
"Hello? I'm right here!" Growled Rose irritated that the group were acting as though she were not standing in front of them. They should be afraid of her. To demonstrate her point and to inspire fear, Rose grabbed hold of the metal rail with one hand and easily bent it out of shape.
"That's enough Rose. That's not your property," scolded Mr Tall. Rose's mouth fell open at his words. He was treating her just like any other disobedient teenager instead of a monster capable of ripping him in half. Mr Tall ignored her indignant expression unlike the rest of the group who eyed her warily.
"Where is Crepsley? He would know what to do with her. She can't be left here on her own, it would be dangerous."
"Yeah for them," said Rose sulkily, crossing her arms. She was annoyed at not being taken seriously. Where was the respect Steve earned when he encountered other freaks? She sighed unhappily at the thought of her former friend. He had no trouble gaining respect. If he had been here now the group would defiantly be afraid, in fact, most of them would probably not be alive. Reconsidering, Rose supposed it was better that he wasn't here. Steve had a tendency to lose his temper and act out when threatened. It was one of the things they had argued about.
"Then it is decided," said Mr Tall, interrupting her thoughts, "We take her back for one night to discuss with Larten. After that, it is none of our concern."
"Take me where? Who's Larten? I'm not going anywhere with you!" Cried Rose. She panicked as the group advanced and hit out with her nails in desperation. One of her fingers caught the woman on her arm and she hissed in pain.
"Leave me alone!" Shouted Rose, holding her fingers out in front of her like a weapon.
"Larten is our friend and a vampire. He will know where you came from and you will be able to go back. We won't harm you Rose."
"But I know where I came from! And I'm never going back!" Cried Rose. She jumped over the rows of seats as if they were hurdles and made for the stairs but Mr Tall blocked her way.
"How did you-?" began Rose, looking over her shoulder at the place where she'd left him. He had moved with an unnatural speed and agility that was almost not human.
"Please?" He asked. Rose felt the other freaks closing in although slightly more cautiously.
"Come back with us. You will be safe at the cirque – at least for one night," he added as though to please the others. Rose sensed they were not happy with Mr Tall's suggestion. She felt pleased that they feared her; that was how any normal person should react.
"All right, Mr Tall," said Rose graciously, "I will go with you. But only for one night." She followed the man down the stairs, enjoying the tense atmosphere her presence created enormously. She resisted the urge to spin around and shout BOO, deciding to keep up her dangerous and mysterious appearance.